Bangkok: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday championed adherence to international law at sea before several world leaders here. In his plenary intervention at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Marcos underscored the importance of ASEAN Centrality in strengthening peace, stability, and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos stressed the need for mutual benefit and expanded dialogue within the bloc, while reaffirming the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction agreement. The plenary session was attended by guests of the ASEAN Chair, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney, European Council President Antonio Costa, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

During the plenary, the 11 ASEAN leaders, including newly-admitted Timor-Leste, discussed issues related to ASEAN Community-building and external relations. The leaders deliberated on ways to deepen regional integration, stimulate economic growth, and enhance connectivity. On external relations, efforts to reinforce ASEAN unity and centrality, and strengthen commitment to a rules-based multilateral order in the evolving global geostrategic landscape, were also discussed.

In a bilateral meeting with Carney prior to the plenary, Marcos cited Canada and the Philippines’ shared values on advancing a rules-based international order, particularly the UNCLOS.